Wouldn't it be wonderful if our precious fur babies really did have 9 lives? While that is not actually possible, there are ways we can help extend our cats life span and help them live longer.

I've had cats all my life, I can barely think of a life without them. That is why I will do everything within my power to help them live a long, healthy life. Most cats live to be 13-17 years old, but with the right care and a healthy lifestyle, they can live up to 20 years or even older.

Of course, your feline's breed and genetics play a role on how long they'll live, so put your energy into the things you can control.

Here are 10 tips on how to help your cat live a longer life.

1. Visit Your Vet

The first thing that should be done when you introduce your cat to their new home, is make an appointment with your vet for a wellness check. You want to be sure nothing is wrong with them, and if there is, you'll want to have it remedied as soon as possible.

Yearly checkup are also needed to keep your kitty in tip-top shape.Taking your cat to the vet on a regular basis also ensures she’s up to date on all recommended vaccines.

2. Spay Or Neuter Your Cat

Spaying or neutering your feline helps them live longer. When cats aren't neutered or spayed, and have to stay indoors often become significantly stressed and develop stress-related behaviors.

All cats, male and female become stressed when they're in heat, which happens several times a year. When in heat they experience hormonal fluctuations, causing them to actively seek mates. They will howl and urinate more frequently, and spray (pee) marks all over the house.

The constant urge to find a mate can be mentally taxing, leading to restlessness, anxiety and frustration, even aggression which can be dangerous. Males will start fights with other males, and people can get the brunt of it as well.

Females will bleed and experience vaginal swelling. The urge also puts their safety at risk. Males and females alike can develop pyometra (a life-threatening uterine infection) while in heat. And females get bites and lacerations during mating, then kitties and puppies are born.

Cats live longer and healthier when their hormones do not take over.

3. Watch Their Weight

A kitty cat that's overweight is unhealthy. Even being a little overweight can lead to an array of health conditions, including liver problems, diabetes, heart disease, urinary track infections, cancer, skin problems, and arthritis.

In addition, complications can occur during anesthesia due to the excess weight, which puts a strain on their organs and system. Being overweight also puts unnecessary stress on an animal’s joints and organs.

Being overweight can significantly shorten a cat's life expectancy.

4. Provide Fresh Clean Water

Your kitty can become dehydrated or develop a urinary track disease if she doesn't drink enough water. To avoid this, you should provide a constant supply of clean, fresh water for her to drink.

Cat's are very particular when it comes to consuming water. They don't like their whiskers to touch the sides of a bowl. Therefore switch to a shallow, wide dishe without a rim or sides so that you feline does not hit her whiskers on the edges.

Another good option is cat fountain. A water fountain helps ensure you cat get the water she needs, and most are intrigued by it.

5. Remember Their Dental Care

Dental issues can cause a host of problems in cats including gingivitis, periodontitis, bleeding gums, painful lesions, mouth pain, abscesses, infections and tooth resorption. If left unchecked, these issues can lead to kidney and heart problems.

Oral exams, X-rays, and even extractions may be required to keep your cat’s mouth and body in tip-top shape.

You can keep your cat's teeth clean by brushing them with a toothpaste that is specifically formulated for cats. Also, giving them wet food can cause dental problems, so mix their wet food with dry food to help protect their teeth and gums.

6. Prevent Hairball Accumulation

Hairballs can be dangerous in cats. A large clump of ingested hair can block a cat's intestinal tract can pose a serious threat. Also, a hairball that passes into the small intestine and become tightly lodged there can be threatening. This doesn't happen often, but if it does, without surgical intervention, it can be fatal.

If you're kitty is vomiting, it may simply be because she has a hairball.

Here are someways to control hairball accumulation.

Brush Your Cat's Hair: Brushing your kitty's hair removes loose hairs that your kiity might swallow when licking themselves. This is especially important during shedding season.

Feed Your cat Hairball control food. Hairball-control foods can improve your cat's coat and help hairballs pass through their digestive system. Hairball control cat food can reduce or even eliminate hairball production so your cat can feel happier and healthier.

That's what I feed mine, along with their regular food of course. And I've only seen a couple of small hairballs in a few years. And both are Persians, thus they have long hair.

7. Stimulate Your Cat

Cat's love to play, and exercise prevents stress, resulting in a healthier happier kitty. It keeps your kitty more content and reduces unwanted behaviors. Engage in play sessions that encourage jumping, pouncing, and chasing, allowing your cat to release energy and express their natural hunting instincts.

Keep your cat entertained with toys, treats, interaction, trees, climbing and excitement.

Use a variety of toys like: balls, scratching toys, wand toys, lasers, and feather wands. These mimic the cats natural hunting instinct, which encourages your cat to chase and pounce.

Cats love to climb and explore. Create vertical spaces in your home to satisfy their climbing instincts. Cat trees, towers and condos are the perfect way to give your kitty the added climb and elevation in the comfort and safety of your home.

8. Brush Your Kitty

If you have a long haired cat, you'll need to brush them daily to prevent knots, mats, and tangles. Brushing also stimulates the production of natural oil, which keeps your cat’s coat shiny and healthy.

Short-haired cats generally groom themselves, however, brushing them at least once a week is still important to help keep their coat healthy and shiny.

Brushing sessions is a fantastic way to bond with your cat through physical touch while releasing stress in anxious cats.

Cats love to be brushed, but when it comes to mats and knots, be gentle or they may never give you the chance to brush them again. Mats and knots can cause discomfort and lead to skin infections if left untreated. This is common problem amongst long-haired cats that can be solved with regular brushing. So be gentle.

9. Keep Your Kitties Litter Box Clean

I can't imagine, when going to the bathroom, having to step on my own poop and pee when I go. Can you? They don't like it either. Cats are very clean animals and cannot stand stepping into a dirty litter box. They want a fresh, clean area when they use the bathroom.

A soiled litter box with urine clumps and feces will stress your cat and cause her to stop using it, and she will begin eliminating outside the box instead.

Kitty cats also have sensitive noses, which makes them highly sensitive to the odor of a dirty box. If it's too strong, they might make a mess on your floor. But, don't blame them, it's not their fault. Blame yourself.

A litter box should be cleaned at least daily. The best litter I have found is Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal SLIDE. The litter clumps around the urine and feces, so when you scoop it out, all you have to do is put it in the garbage. When the litter gets low, simply fill it again.

10. Love Your Precious Kitty

Unbeknownst to many, cats love to be brushed, petted, cuddled and loved. They will purr, knead, rub their face against yours, roll over on their backs, and follow you just like a puppy dog. When you love them the way they deserve to be loved, they will show you the same affection and love in return.

Marshmallow stares at me wherever I go, and when I say, "come on baby", she comes. When I go to bed at night, she follows me in the bedroom, jumps up on the bed and gives me a sweet baby meow, to let me know she's there. She then lies on her side and stretches our for her night time petting and love.

Cats can actually teach us a lot about love. So love your sweet, precious babies and the rewards will be astronomical.

Conclusion:

Your kitty can live a long healthy life and give you such joy, if you take the time to bond with them, care for them, and give them a life of love and happiness. Cats are loyal, sweet, loving and empathetic - I just love those lil squishy lover bugs. Although I do love dogs also. But cats are so much easier to take care of than dogs.

When you are in-tune with a cat, you'll know when they don't feel good, when something's bothering them, what they want, and what they don't. And when you talk to them, sometimes they will talk to you too, with a soft, lil squeaky toy-like meow. Stay in-tune. They are in-tune with you.